Indian Seafarers Narrowly Escape Tanker Attacks Near Hormuz
Maritime security in the region reached a breaking point on Thursday, 18 September 2026, as two foreign-flagged tankers carrying Indian crew members were targeted in separate attacks near the Strait of Hormuz.
Two Vessels Targeted in Separate Strikes
The first incident involved the MT Basrah Energy, a Panama-flagged crude oil tanker. During the assault, a projectile struck the vessel's funnel, causing significant alarm. Despite the strike, the 14 Indian nationals on board were unharmed. The vessel, which carries a total of 22 crew members, has since safely reached the Fujairah anchorage.
In a separate occurrence, the Trend—a product tanker flying the flag of Togo—was struck by a drone in the waters near Khasab Port in Oman.
A Growing Threat to Maritime Workers
These incidents are part of a volatile period of escalation in West Asia that began in late February 2026. Since then, Indian seafarers have faced a barrage of threats, including:
- Drone strikes
- Missile attacks
- Precision strikes and projectiles
The Indian government is currently tracking the safety of 153 Indian seafarers located west of the Strait of Hormuz. These sailors are distributed across 14 ships, including six Indian-flagged and eight foreign-flagged vessels. In response to the rising danger, ten of these vessels have been flagged as high-priority candidates for potential evacuation.
Impact on the Indian Diaspora
The safety of these mariners is a critical issue, as many originate from Indian states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, often serving lengthy contracts of six to nine months. To manage the crisis, authorities have implemented real-time monitoring dashboards and appointed family liaison officers.
While the specific responsibility for the September 18 attacks has not been officially attributed to any single group, the ongoing instability continues to impact the broader Indian community in the Gulf, which includes:
- 3.5 million citizens in the UAE
- 2.4 million in Saudi Arabia
- Large populations residing in Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain